Shawn Despres - The Japan Times

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Shawn Despres

Shawn Despres has been contributing to the Japan Times’ music page since 2005, and he has a passion for writing about the independent music scene in East Asia. He spent several years living in Yokohama and currently resides in Seoul.

For Shawn Despres's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Mar 30, 2007

Lady Sov looks to scare the heavies at Def Jam

It's not surprising that Lady Sovereign draws comparisons to Eminem. Despite the 21-year-old British MC having a vastly different sound, being a foul-mouthed Caucasian rapper who likes to stir up trouble does bring Slim Shady to mind.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Mar 23, 2007

Ms. Lauryn Hill and Lupe Fiasco

The second Springroove, promoter Creativeman's hip-hop and R&B festival, boasts homegrown talent such as AI along with international superstars Kayne West, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and up-and-comers Lupe Fiasco and Lady Sovereign.

CULTURE / Music

Mar 2, 2007

Tokyo Police Club "A Lesson In Crime"

Barely out of their teens, Tokyo Police Club have already learned a vital rock 'n' roll lesson -- keep it short and fast. The original version of the Toronto quartet's debut indie release, "A Lesson In Crime," released in Canada in April 2006, clocked in at a mere 16 minutes (the Japanese release is...

CULTURE / Music

Feb 23, 2007

Explosions in The Sky "All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone"

Similar to like-minded artists such as Mogwai or Japanese label mates Mono, Texas quartet Explosions In The Sky create lush instrumental music brimming with waves of gorgeous guitar noise. "All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone," their fourth album, is an emotionally gripping listen that will greatly appeal...

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Feb 16, 2007

Rappers Jurassic 5 happy with where they're at?

'My favorite cut is 'Where We At,' because it's literally about where we are at as a band at this stage in the world of hip-hop," says Jurassic 5's DJ Nu-Mark on the phone from Los Angeles while playing miniature golf with his son.

Japan Times

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Feb 2, 2007

A sensuous 'V-Day' shimmy

With men around the country eagerly anticipating their Valentine's Day treats, a Tokyo-based collective of bellydancers is aiming to shift some of that day's focus back to the female populace by presenting "V-Day" on Feb. 11 at Cozmos Cafe in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jan 26, 2007

The punks descend

How much impact do surroundings have on a group? According to guitarist Lindsay McDougall of the Australian band Frenzal Rhomb, plenty.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jan 19, 2007

In the age of digital downloading, it's still possible to get people to buy CDs and records. You've just got to be smart about it.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jan 5, 2007

It's been said many a time that all good things must come to an end. In the case of punk mainstays Rancid, 2006 saw two chapters in the band's career coming to a close.

CULTURE / Music

Dec 15, 2006

Sufjan Stevens "Songs for Christmas"

Looking to provide the underground loving hipsters with a large dose of yuletide cheer, Sufjan Stevens releases "Songs For Christmas," a box set of five festive-themed EPs. In 2001, the singer and multi-instrumentalist began recording Christmas songs for friends and family. With many fans eagerly awaiting...

CULTURE / Music

Dec 8, 2006

Tom Waits "Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards"

Although his trademark raspy growl and love for schizophrenic concoctions of sound aren't for everyone, visitors to the whacked-out, downtrodden world of Tom Waits are rightfully mesmerized by its beauty and brilliance. With a persona that's equal parts grizzled farmhand, ringmaster and mad scientist,...

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Nov 24, 2006

Seriously, what's left for Dave Grohl to do in the world of rock 'n' roll? After playing in tiny, dilapidated clubs with hardcore punk act Scream in the late 1980s, he kicked off the '90s by drumming for one of the decade's most influential groups, Nirvana. Then, in the mid-'90s, Grohl formed his current...

CULTURE / Music

Nov 17, 2006

Me First And The Gimme Gimmes "Love Their Country"

Cover bands usually get scant respect, but leave it up to a few punks to screw with the natural order of things. Comprised of members of Lagwagon, NOFX, Swingin' Utters and Foo Fighters, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes have spent a decade reworking famous pop, R&B and show tunes. Their sixth release,...

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Nov 10, 2006

Zoobombs redefine borderline pop

There's a story behind every song -- but like all tales, some are more compelling than others.

CULTURE / Music

Nov 3, 2006

DJ Shadow "The Outsider"

Whereas DJ Shadow's two previous full-lengths, "Endtroducing" (1996) and 2002's "Private Press," were largely instrumental affairs, mishmashing an array of obscure samples into electronic and hip-hop minisymphonies, "The Outsider" is his first stab at making a more conventional rap and pop album.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 27, 2006

Like Franz Ferdinand the year before, in 2005 Bloc Party were pegged by the British press to be the breakout act of the year. A solid prediction, the London quartet's first full length, "Silent Alarm," was met with worldwide acclaim, turning BP into bona fide stars at home and establishing sizeable fan...

CULTURE / Music

Oct 20, 2006

Isis "In The Absence of Truth"

Where does a band go after stretching the boundaries of its genre as far as possible? Well, if you're Isis, you virtually abandon it. Since their inception as a sludge-metal act in 1997, each of the American quintet's expansive releases have experimented with, and further removed them from, their hardcore...

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 13, 2006

G. Love and Special Sauce

Comprising guitarist Garret Dutton (Mr. G. Love himself), upright bassist Jimmie Prescott (Jimi Jazz) and drummer Jeffrey Clemens (Houseman), Philadelphia's G. Love & Special Sauce first began turning heads with the release of their nearly gold-certified, 1994 self-titled debut. Incorporating a mish-mash...

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 6, 2006

Old school rappers look to new schools

Since hip-hop emerged in the late 1970s, it's been closely linked with basketball. But just as the United States is no longer the dominant force in international hoops, its dominance in the world of beats and rhymes is also waning.

CULTURE / Music

Sep 22, 2006

Ni-hao! "New-hao!"

Originally comprising two bassists and a drummer, all-female Kyoto three-piece Ni-hao! have traded their basses for a keyboard and sampler, giving their expansive noise-pop a greater electronic edge on their second album proper. Take "Ni-Hao! Makes New Sound," which has the three female members doing...

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.

How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan

By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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